Alaska Airlines Planes Clip Wings at Seattle-Tacoma Airport
On May 17, 2025, two Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft collided at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac). The ground incident occurred around 12:15 p.m. local time during pushback from the gates.
The aircraft involved – a Boeing 737-800 and a 737-900 were operating flight AS1190, headed to Orange County, CA, and flight AS1094, bound for Sacramento, CA.
The two flights were fully boarded when their winglets grazed each other. No injuries were reported, but the minor damage caused delays and sparked concerns about ground safety.
Seattle-Tacoma Airport Ground Incident
The two aircraft were being moved by ground-service tugs when the mishap occurred. Alaska Airlines quickly apologized and deplaned passengers, who were rebooked on replacement aircraft.
Flight AS1190 faced a 3.5-hour delay, while flight AS1094 was able to depart sooner. The airline substituted for the damaged aircraft in order to keep operations running.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is now investigating, focusing on ground crew training and communication. Air traffic control doesn’t manage gate movements, so the FAA probe centers on procedural errors.
Third Incident in Recent Weeks
This incident marks the third wing-clipping event in the U.S. in recent weeks. Similar collisions happened at San Francisco International Airport on May 6, 2025, and Ronald Reagan National Airport on April 10, 2025.
These repeated accidents have raised red flags about safety at busy airports like Sea-Tac, a key West Coast hub. Experts point to overcrowding and human error as possible culprits.
Some suggest better lighting, digital tug systems, or automated route guidance could prevent future incidents.
Conclusion
Alaska Airlines is cooperating with the FAA to understand what went wrong. For passengers, the delays were frustrating but manageable.
Still, the incident underscores the need for tighter ground safety protocols. As air travel demand grows, airports must adapt to handle crowded tarmacs and complex operations. The FAA’s findings could lead to new rules or tech upgrades to keep both aircraft and passengers safe.
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